Meet the people being helped by the charity work from the Post Code Lottery

Danielle Kidd with the kids at the pavillion (Image: Richard Frew/Daily Record)

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IT’S ten years since the People’s Post Code Lottery launched, helping to create thousands of lucky winners while providing vital funds for a host of Scottish charities.

The lottery, which is based around players’ postcodes allowing entire communities to win together, set out as a unique way to fundraise for good causes.

With 27.5 per cent awarded to charities from every £2 ticket, in the years since it was established, its players have raised almost £80 million.

Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said, “In challenging times for the charitable and voluntary sector, we are very proud that our players are to be able to help make such a difference and help fund charities that need support.”

Here Amanda Keenan speaks to four good cause who have benefited from the fund.

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Kathleen Baxter with her kids Jordan, Tegan, Shay and Caleb

KARL Baxter’s world crashed down when his wife Kathleen was diagnosed with breast cancer .

Struggling with the devastating news, Karl turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

But thanks to the support of Maggie’s he was able to get his life back on track and support Kathleen during her final months.

Aged 39, she passed away after a four year battle with breast cancer which became so aggressive the large tumour burst through her breast bone.

Maggie’s, which has had £3,690,749 from the People’s Postcode Lottery, helped the couple.

Karl, 48, from Edinburgh, said: “She found a cyst on her left breast which burst and tests revealed a large tumour behind the breast bone. She fought so hard and underwent surgery to remove her breast along with radiotherapy.

“I found it hard to cope and it wasn’t long before my drinking was spiralling out of control.

“Kathleen was going to Maggie’s Centre in Edinburgh and the support she received was incredible. With their help I was able to stop drinking and promised Kathleen I would never touch a drop again.

“It’s a promise I’ve kept to this day.”

The couple and their children Jordan, 19, Caleb, 17, Tegan, 15 and Shay, 10, were able to make the most of their final months together before Kathleen passed away on July 19, 2011.

Karl said: “We miss her every day and she was a terrific mum and wife.

“It’s been hard but I’m determined to make her proud by being the best dad I can possibly be.”

Karl is raising funds for Maggie’s and raised £800 running the Edinburgh Marathon.

He added: “Maggie’s has been there every step of the way and if it wasn’t for their help I don’t know how we would have coped.

“They helped to rebuild a family after the death of a wonderful mum and wife.”

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Lynn McLeod (Image: Victoria Stewart/Daily Record)

LYNN McLeod is passionate about how important it is to ensure the safety of children and young people, and believes early intervention in a child’s life makes a huge difference.

She wanted to become a volunteer for Children 1st for years and finally joined the charity two years ago as fully trained community engagement volunteer.

Lynn, 39, knows just how important their charity work is and said the £3,499,465 donated by the lottery fund makes a huge difference to some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children

She said: “I speak to adults at community engagement sessions who are concerned about the welfare of a child but don’t actually know what to do. I advise them on the best course of action to help the child.

“At one of our workshops a lady came to me after seeing her neighbour batter her child all the way along the road. She didn’t know what to do and we were able to step in to help.

“Often people are too scared to get involved because of they fear repercussions but we are always here to offer assistance.” Lynne admits the vital funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery means Children 1st can continue to protect society’s most vulnerable youngsters.

She adds: “Without the support we couldn’t offer the wide range of services for children and young people.

“It makes a huge difference and keeping children safe from harm is at the very heart of what we do.”

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Nicole Ryan (Image: Paul Chappells/Daily Record)

SENSE Scotland provide vital support for children and adults with learning or physical difficulties who struggle to communicate.

Thanks to players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, the Glasgow charity were awarded £12,233 to build an accessible learning kitchen.

Nicole Ryan, 25, from Crookston, Glasgow, is just one of many people benefiting from the healthy eating cooking sessions on offer. She has helped to introduce classes for the group and says it boosted her confidence.

She said: “I love it. I like to chop the carrots, make fruit salad and soup. I help make sure people are eating the right kinds of food.”

Adult services manager Rita Gallagher said: “The funding has been crucial in transforming the kitchen into a fully accessible space for hundreds of children, young people and adults.

“It offers the people we support a learning resource to assist personal development and help many on their journey towards independent living.

“The kitchen also provides a safe environment for people to learn and experience the freedom of cooking for themselves and their friends.”

Sense Scotland was set up in 1985 as a small group of families pressing for services for children who were affected by deaf and blindness, many because of maternal rubella.

The organisation has gone on to support thousands of disabled people and their families across Scotland.

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MAXWELLTOWN Information Centre in Dundee received a £10,000 lottery grant to create a garden project for schoolkids and residents living in deprived areas.

The community centre, which also provides foodbank referral, financial and legal advice, created a pavilion and allotment to grow fresh fruit and vegetables.

Made from reclaimed materials, the space enables teachers and project workers to deliver educational sessions aimed at giving people the skills and confidence they need to take on their own allotment plots.

Garden projects worker Danielle Kidd says the funding has transformed the centre along with having a positive impact on schoolkids and local residents who use it.

She said: “The garden project has been a huge success and wouldn’t have been possible without the funding.

“We teach youngsters about the importance of growing and eating fresh fruit and vegetables and it’s really paying off.

“Some of the youngsters come from troubled backgrounds or have behavioural issues and having lessons in the pavilion makes a world of difference.

“We have four schools who come along to take part in the project. The kids love it and it’s a great way to get them interested in the benefits of healthy and nutritious food.”

It’s not just children who help. Local residents struggling on the breadline are also given fresh fruit and veg grown in the garden.

Danielle, 23, added: “It’s a project that helps all ages and the feedback has been incredible.

“The pavilion can be used as a classroom by school groups and as a meeting point for local residents – it will contribute to the local community for years to come.”

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